Kernel.org accounts are reserved for Linux kernel maintainers or
high-profile developers. If you do not fall under one of these two
categories, it’s unlikely that an account will be issued to you. If you
would like to apply for an account, please e-mail the following
information to helpdesk@kernel.org using the following template:

The Kernel.org admin team will then review your request and you should
receive a response back within a few days. If you are listed in
MAINTAINERS and have enough signatures on your PGP key to be in the
web of trust, your account will be issued without delay.

Important

If we find an A (authentication) subkey on your PGP key,
we will assume you will want to use that for your ssh access. If that
is not the case, please mention it in the request and you’ll be
issued a new ssh private key instead.

With extremely rare exceptions, accounts will not be issued
unless the there are enough signatures on the PGP key to satisfy the
web of trust.

We use the PGP web of trust to help ensure that only trusted kernel
developers are able to get an account on kernel.org. Before you send the
email, make sure that your PGP key is signed by at least two other
people who already have an active kernel.org account.

PGP signing events at conferences are usually a good place to start, or
you can find kernel developers who live in your area. You can also check
the The kernel.org keysigning map for kernel developers in your area. If meeting in
physical space is not an option for you due to travelling or quarantine
restrictions, you may prefer to arrange a video conference call for the
same purpose.

Important

Remember, the goal is not to verify someone’s
government-issued credentials, but to build a web of trusted
contributors. When you are signing someone’s key, you are effectively
stating: “I have worked with this person and I vouch for their
identity by signing their key with my own.”